Courting the Outlaw — Delores Fossen

Alena Jensen tries to do a good deed by warning the new saloon owner, Carson Slade, that someone wants him dead, but what does she get for her efforts? Members of his former outlaw gang try to kidnap her, that's what. Too bad that doesn't put her off the whole notion of helping him even if he doesn't especially want her help. She's hotly attracted to Carson, the long, lean Texan with a mile-wide cocky streak and ties to known outlaws. With their vastly different backgrounds, the deep feelings that she develops for Carson make no sense. Well, except for the lust part. Alena fully, completely, totally understands that. It's the falling in love part that she doesn't quite grasp.The newly pardoned, former-outlaw, Carson Slade, might have a little problem. Someone wants him turn into specks of hoof grit and tells him so in a threatening note that Alena's ornery dog finds in the trash. Now, Carson has to figure out a way to keep both Alena and him out of harm's way. Not just from the person who wrote that note either. Alena's family is none too pleased that he's spending time with her and wouldn't mind rearranging various parts of him. Still, Carson just can't seem to fight this attraction for Alena--so much so that he can't figure out if he wants to take a bullet or take her to bed.